Italian shoe manufacturers bemoan Brussels labelling decision
09/11/2012
The European Commission originally proposed compulsory ‘Made In’ labelling in 2005 and the European Parliament approved the idea in a vote in 2010. Nevertheless, the trade directorate of the Brussels-based body has dropped the labelling proposal from its programme of work for 2013. EU trade spokesperson, John Clancy, made comments to questions from a journalist in a press briefing in Brussels on October 23. He said that, although the ‘Made In’ proposal had been tabled in 2005, “no consensus has ever been gathered” and, as a result, the Commission has decided to withdraw it. The European Parliament and the Council will now have the opportunity to comment.
“Even if there was widespread support in the European Parliament for this proposal, member states hold very different positions,” Mr Clancy said. “It has become clear that there is no future for this proposal. This withdrawal is in line with both the Commission’s competences in its agenda of smart regulation and its reiterated efforts to focus on its trade priorities. For the time being, there is no intention to issue a revised proposal.”
This means retailers in Europe can sell shoes without having to tell consumers where they come from. Retail groups have said that they believe many consumers today only care about the look and price of shoes rather than their origin, the quality of construction or the materials used.
In response, ANCI said it was “extremely disappointed” in the development. The organisation’s chairman, Cleto Sagrinpanti, said the decision “unfairly benefits the big trading lobbies and multinationals that maintain only marketing activities in the EU, at the expense of the manufacturers, already heavily penalised by the economic crisis.” He said it was unfair to consumers too because they have a right to clear, accurate product information.
ANCI has written to Italy’s minister for economic development, Corrado Passera, to express its concerns. It says it will not give up the fight on this issue.
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